Hotel-to-apartment project begins in west Olympia, food truck operator opens restaurant downtown
The former Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake on the city’s west side, which previously was a Red Lion property, is about to become 196 studio apartments, according to Sage Investment Group, a Kirkland-based developer that recently acquired the property.
Sage specializes in converting former hotels into apartments.
The work is underway now, Sage community relations director Whitney Wilkins said Thursday, and Sage has a goal of completing the project in spring 2025.
“The really cool thing about the former Olympia hotel was just how many amenities spaces were here: the kitchen, the restaurant, the bar, the banquet hall, the coffee shop up front,” she said. “We want to use all of those spaces.”
What kind of housing will it be?
Wilkins said they don’t use the term affordable housing because it is considered market-rate; however, Sage does refer to it as “attainable housing,” wanting to meet the demand for missing-middle workforce housing, she said.
Rather than building from the ground up, which is a more expensive proposition, Sage can do a conversion that results in a naturally more affordable housing unit, Wilkins said.
Rental cost information was not immediately known, but Wilkins said rents would be competitive in the market.
In addition to the conversion, Sage is also working with Carve Food Services LLC, a business that specializes in contract meal services for behavioral health facilities, restaurant, lounge and catering operations as well as coffee services.
They plan to bring those services to the property, including a restaurant called The Westwater Kitchen & Lounge, which will be open to residents and the public, Wilkins said.
This is Sage’s first project in Olympia. Nearby projects include a series of hotel-to-apartment conversions on Hosmer Street in Tacoma.
Longtime food truck operators open restaurant
Nineveh Assyrian, which for years has operated out of a food truck on Fourth Avenue at Plum Street, has now opened a restaurant as well, the business announced.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the opening of our restaurant and lounge at 113 Capitol Way N.,” the Nineveh website reads. “Please join us to experience an entirely new menu of elevated Assyrian cuisine and unique craft cocktails.”
That space is the former home of the Sicilian restaurant Trinacria.
Ten years of serving the marijuana biz
O Bee Credit Union is celebrating 10 years of serving the marijuana industry, the Tumwater-based credit union announced.
The credit union grew its cannabis business accounts over time and has now served more than 270 accounts in the past five years, according to O Bee.
Checking, savings, money market and certificates of deposit have been the most common services used by the businesses and their employees, O Bee reports.
This year O Bee even opened up commercial lending to the industry, said Megan Temple, communications and marketing manager.
“To date no loans have been made; however, we’re here to serve whenever the opportunity is right for our members and hope to fund our first cannabis commercial loan soon,” she said.
Pot producer and processor Harmony Farms, which is based in Lacey, is an O Bee customer.
“They’ve treated us well from the start,” said President Kurt Naumer in a member spotlight piece for the O Bee website. “We’ve never had any reason to reconsider our choice. O Bee has made the banking process simple and reliable, which is something many cannabis businesses in other states still struggle with.”
Credit union construction
Construction is under way on a new America’s Credit Union branch at the Tumwater Craft District, which is on Capitol Boulevard at E Street.
Arbutus Folk School selling gifts
A reader has emailed The Olympian, reminding us about an artists sale at Arbutus Folk School in downtown Olympia.
Discover gifts and goods made by Arbutus artists at the pop-up market, which is open 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at 705 Fourth Ave. E. The sale benefits Arbutus.
People News
John Freedman, the executive director of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, is retiring and Todd Cutts, the executive director of the Olympia Downtown Alliance, is stepping in to fill Freedman’s shoes, the two organizations announced this week.
Freedman spent a dozen years in that role.
Under his leadership, the foundation reached significant milestones, including the launch of innovative history programs, improvements to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, and the expansion of its scholarship and grant programs, according to a news release.
“Freedman is recognized for his financial stewardship, which ensured the foundation’s long-term sustainability while enhancing its impact on education, tourism, and community enrichment,” the release reads.
“I am deeply thankful to our dedicated team, board members, and the Tumwater community for their support,” Freedman said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing the foundation continue to thrive under Todd’s capable leadership.”
Cutts spent seven years with the ODA.
His accomplishments include the Downtown Guide Program, the Downtown Maintenance Program and supporting a welcoming and clean downtown experience for residents and visitors, according to a news release.
He also spearheaded the organization’s pandemic response efforts, including the launch of the LoveOly brand, which has become synonymous with celebrating local businesses and community pride, according to the release.
“It’s been a real honor to play a role over the last seven years in supporting the success and growth of our downtown,” Cutts said in a statement.
The search for a new ODA leader is underway, according to the board. Until then, ODA project manager Desiree Freeland has been named the interim executive director.
Cutts’ last day with the ODA is Dec. 13. His first day at the foundation is Dec. 16.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
